richards



W. F. RICHARD$ June 3; 1930. COUPLER I Re. 17,690

ori inal" Filed Feb. 2, 1927 4 Lawns-SM x gnwwfoz I fltfoz HQ 14 #w/W/ fmmdrds v w. F. RICHARDS C OUPLER June 3 1930.

Re. 17,690 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 w, F. RICHARDS June 3, I930. COUPLER M w 2 M w m w r m n a a 2 3 mmv w a w & E h; f g M Mg w E W Original Filed Feb. 2, 1927 JIHI - w. F. RICHARDS June 3, 1930.

i Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Feb. 2. 1927 ELI Reiesuecl June 3, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLARD F. RICHARDS, OFcDEPEW, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOULD COUPLER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND COUPLER Original No, 1,703,598, dated February 26, 1829, Serial No. 165,329, filed February 2, 1927. Application for reissue filed. .Tu1y13, 1929. Serial No. 378,189.

This invention relates to couplers and, more particularly, to an improved car coupler adapted to interchange with the standard D coupler.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the provision of a car coupler provided with improved locking means and knuckle opening mechanism.

An object of my invention is the provision of a car coupler provided with a knuckle opener which is vertically pivoted and operated from the locking mechanism through a pivoted bell crank lever, whereby said opener operates easier and under all conditions.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a car coupler in which the parts are simple in contour and adapted to be readily constructed and placed in position in the associated coupler head.

A further object of my invention isthe provision, of a coupler provided with an improved locking mechanism involving a guide block and a locking block pivotally conne-ct ed together preferably by an integral forl wardly extending tapered stud on the guide block passing through the locking block, said locking block being eccentrically mounted on said stud, where it is adapted to swing sideways to a ledge formedon the corresponding wall of the coupler head for holeing said block in lock-set position.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of a coupler with improved locking mechanism involving a guide block mounted in a pocket in theassociated coupler head, said pocket being formed with guiding ribs or flanges on side walls thereor and with a lug on the bottom wall for engaging a corresponding downward extension on the guide for limiting movement of the same.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of a car coupler involving improved knuckle opening mechanism, sa d mechanism preferably comprising a verti- Cally pivoted knuckle opener with a lever extending intoengagement with the tail of the knuckle for opening the same, said opener also involving a hubintegrally' connecting said lever to an arm thereabove and a bell crank lever mounted on a horizontal pivot pin above said arm and formed with one of 1ts ends engaging the arm on the opener and the other engaged by the lock guide of the coupler whereby, when said guide is raised, the bell crank lever is actuated to move, in its turn, the knuckle opener, the horizontal pivot pin of the bell crank lever being formed with a head normally overlying the head of the corresponding pivot pin of the knuckle opener for holding said latter pin in place, said bell crank lever pin being prevented from undesired removal by providing prongs on the end thereof and expandin said prongs after insertion.

A iurther object of my invention is the provision of an improved car coupler involving a lock block which is wider at its lower portion and the adjacent wall of the head is correspondingly inclined whereby creeping of the lock is prevented, said lock being eccentrically mounted so that it tends to swing to a lock-set position into engagement with a ledge in the wall of the head, the tail of the knuckle being formed with a raised portion for unseating said locking block "from lock-set position during inward and outward movement of the knuckle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is a plan of one embodiment of my improved form of coupler, shown partly in section on the line 1-1 of Figure 3, the parts being shown with the knuckle in locked or closed position.

Figure 1 is a sectional fragmentary view corresponding to a portion of Figure 1 with the bell crank lever and pivot pin therefor removed.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line. 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 with the knuckle and locking mechanism removed.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional lock is adapted for actuation from below in-' View on the line 44 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure is a detailed View of the locking block and guide block showing the manner of pivotally connecting the same.

, Figure 6 is a sectional viewv corresponding to Figure 4 but showing the lock block raised to lock-set position, and the knuckle removed.

Figure? is a fragmentary sectional View corresponding to Figure but show ng an embodiment of my invention in which the stead of from above. r I by FigureS isa fragmentary sectional View on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is a front elevational view, partly insection, illustrating a, form of coupler embodying my invention but provided, with mechanism for operatingthe same from the side rather than fromthe top or bottom of the coupler. I

Figure is an elevational view. of the em bodiment shown in Figure 9 looking from the left.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional'view on the line 11-11 of Figure 9 looking 11'1 the direction of the arrows, I

Referring to the drawings ndetail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and first considering the GDIIbOdlr ment of inyinvention illustrated n F gures 1 to 6, inclusive, I have shown a coupler particularly adapted forjrailway care, said coupler coniprisinga head 2 and a knuckle 3,

said knuckle, in the present embodiment, being suchas isused 1nv a standard D coupler. The knuckle 3is formed with a normally vertical aperture 4 receiving a pivotpin or' pintle 5, which may be of standard.construction,

extending through register ng apertures 6 in hinging ears 7 and 80f the head. The, knuckle is provided with a tail 9 which is received in a pocket 10 in the couplerhead 2.

Y Y i y 9 The locking mechanism-for the knuckle u,

in the present embodiment, con' prises a lock guide or guide block 11 which is operated upwardly and downwardly through l fting link 12 connected thereto through the interengaging eyes shown and adapted for connection with an uncoupling device of any usual or desired character. The upper portion of the link 12 passes through an openin 13 in the top wall of the coupler head 2. T he locking guide 11 is restrained inits ap proximately vertical'inovement. by the pro vision of aflange or rib 1 1 along the side.

thereof preferably adjacent the guard arm side of the head. The rib or flange 11 i preferably fits ingroove 15' in the corresponding wall of the head, said groovebeiiig, 1n the I present embodiment, formed by a ribor flange 16 provided along the guard arm side wallofthe lock cavity in the head forwardly of the rib 1,4. For guiding the block 11 along upwardly and downwardly. The block is correspondingly guided on the knuckle side of the head by the corresponding wall 19 of the lock cavity, although, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, said guide is normally urged toward the guard arm side of the cavity.

Pivotally connected to the guide block 11 is the lock block 20, the means for connection,

in the present embodiment, comprising an inte ral stud 21 extending forwardly from" the front face of the lock guide 11 through the lock block and prevented from undesired separation therefrom by a cotter 22 extending through a corresponding aperture 23 adjacent the end of said stud. The stud or integral pintle 21 is preferably tapered forwardly to facilitate casting of the parts and improve the accuracy of pivoting between the members. The corresponding aperture 2 1 in the lock block 20 is, of course, formed of a size and shape to correspond with that of the pintle 21. The lock block 20, as illustrated most clearly in Figures & and 6, is eccentrically mounted so that it tends to swing toward the guard arm side of the head 2. When raised through the uncoupling mechanism to the position illustrated in Figure 6, it takes a lock-set position by swinging counter-clockwise untilthe lower right-hand corner thereof engages on the shoulder or ledge 25 on the guard arm wall of the lock cavity. That portion of the guard arm of the lock cavity, above the shoulder or ledge 25, is preferably omitted for a short distance as indicated at 26 and then tapered or formed with a sloping inner surface 27 to correspond with the slope of the adjacentside wall of the lock block 20 when in lock-set position, as shown most clearly in Figure 6.

In addition tothe side flanges or ribs on the lock cavity for guiding the lock guide 11, i the lower wall or floor 28 of said cavity is preferably formed with an upstanding lug 29 positionedforwardly of the guide block 11 with its rear surface 30 bevelled or sloped to correspond with the engaging front surface 31 of a longitudinal extension 32 on the lower portion of said lock guide. The function of this engagement betweenthe lug 29 and ex tension 32 on the lockguide is to hold said guide from forward movement, particularly when two couplers come together with both flat surface to the front wall of the lock receiving a pivot pin or pintle 38 extendingbetween a correspondingly apertured hub 39 rising from the bottom wall 28 of the head and a flange or web 40 overlying the top of the hub portion 39. From the lower portion of the hub'36, a knuckle opening arm, lever or kicker 41 extends and is received, when not in active position, in a corresponding groove 42 in the adjacent wall of the head 2. It will be appreciated that, as distinguished from preceding forms of couplers, the opener is vertically pivoted and, on account of having its axis substantially parallel with that of the knuckle, it is in a position to more efliciently open the same by engaging the ad.- jacent portion of the knuckle tail 9 with the curved arm or lever 41. p a

On account of the arm 41 being curved to correspond with the knuckle side of the head and the engaged portion of the tail of the knuckle, it will be apparent that the mechanical advantage of the arrangement for opening the knuckle is a maximum initially and decreases slightly as the knuckle is opened,

on account of the point of engagement between the arm 41 and the tail of the knuckle advancing from the pivotal axis of the hub 36 toward the pivotal axis of the knuckle 3, as

will be understood from a consideration of Figure 1 particularly. This construction, therefore, makes it relatively easy to open the knuckle as compared with other types of.

with respect to the kicker'arm '41 in general.

For transmitting motion between the guide block 11 and the opener 35 and more particularly the arm 43 thereof, a bell crank lever or pivoted member 44 is provlded, said member having angularly disposed arms 45 and 46, the former of which engages the arm 43 of the knuckle opener and the latter of which is operated from the locking mechan1sm. In the present embodiment the arm 46 fits into a recess 47 in the guide block 11 for actuation from said guide block upon the same being raised. The bell crank lever-44 1S preferably pivotally mounted with respect to the head 2 by having a substantially horizontal pivot pin 48 extending through a central or hub portion 49 thereof and through corresponding registering apertures in the trans: versely extending walls 50 of the head dis, posed forwardly and rearwardly of said bell crank lever 44. In order to avoid the necessity of a cotter or other similar means for preventing undesired removal or loss of the pivot pin 48, the rearwardly disposed end thereof is headed as indicated at 51 andthe forward end is desirably bifurcated providing prongs 52 which are spread apart after assembly of the parts. No cotter or other similar securing means is necessary for the pivot pin 38 because the head 51 of the pin 48 overlies the head of the pin 38 and prevents undesired of and the wall of the lock cavity, at the guard arm side of the head, is correspondingly i11-. clined as indicated at 54. In order to urge v the guide block 11 toward the guard arm side of the head, whereby it is more accurately guided by the engagement between the flanges 14 and 16 and the lock block closely positioned against the guard arm wall 54, the surface of the extension 32, toward the knuckle side of the guard ,arm, is preferably bevelled or inclined as indicated at 55 and the floor portion 28 ofthe head 2 is provided with a correspondingly inclined upward ex-. tension 56. v

In order to provide for the releasing of the lock block 20 from lock-set position, the tail of the knuckle 3 is preferably formed with a raised portion 57 which engages the lower portion of the lock block 20 upon either opening or closing movement of the knuckle and revolves the same clockwise about the stud 21, thereby permitting the same to drop to locked position. The reason for this will be apparent upon considering Figure 6 as the tilting upwardly of the lower left-hand corner of the lock block 20 withdraws the lowerv right-hand corner of said block from the 12".

ledge 25 at the guard arm side of the head. Referring now to the embodimentjof my invention illustrated in Figures: 'Z and. 8,

fragmentary portions of a coupler 1" are there disclosed which may be substantially i identical with the coupler 1 of the previous embodiment except that bottom operating mechanism is provided rather than top operating mechanism. For this purpose, the bottom wall or floor 28 of the head 2? is formed,

' with an aperturetsreceiving a lock-lifter .59'fpivotally connected to the intermediate portion of alifter lever 60 by means of a;

ri'vet or other pivotmeansfil. The forward portion of the lever 60 is shown pivoted with respect to a downward extension 62 from the bottom of the head 2.* 'The'inner orlower I end'63 of the lifter lever 60 is preferably a-pertured as indicated at 6% for connection with any usual ordesired form of bottom is adapted for operation from the side and,-

more particularly, from the knuckle side of the head 2". For that purpose,-a lock lifter 67 is provided, the upper end of which 1s preferably formed with a rearward eXtension or trunnion 68 engaging in a corresponding'aperture 69 in the lower portion of the guide block 11; The lower end of the lifter'67 is preferably pivoted to the lower end 7 O of a preferably bent lever 71, the in termediate portion of which is pivoted to an extension 7 2 from the lower portion of the head at the knuckle side thereof and theupper end of said lever is preferably formed with an aperture 73 receiving any usual or desired formof uncoupling device 74 adapted for operation from the side of the associated car. Except as specifically described in connection with the present embodiment,

the construction and operation of the coupler may correspond with that of the first embodiment.

It is thought that the operationgof the aforedescribed coupler will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the foregoing disclosure. However,itmight be pointed out that the locked position of the knuckle is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4, where the tail ofthe knuckle is closely engaged by the,

lock block 20 which is, in turn, urged against the inclined wall adjacent the guard arm side of the head and thereby prevented from undesired dislodgment under any strain to I which the knucklemaybesubjected. Upon of'the knuckle is'first released and, if the lock guide and'itsconnected lock block are held as indicated in Figure 6, the lock blockraising the locking mechanism orguide block 11 by any means, that is, eitherthe top, or bottom orside operating mechanism, the tail will take a lock-set position whereit is adapted to permit automatic operation oruncou-' principles.

With the locking block in lockset position i the knuckle is freeto move to open position under the influence of another knuckle as,

for instance, on the parting of the train. Since the major portion of the, projection 57 on the knuckle'tail'lies above the lower face of the locking block when the same is in lockset position, outward movement of" the knuckle will raise the locking mechanism vertically in the head so that it will be supported upon the knuckletail as long asthe knuckle is in fully or partially opened position. Upon the return of the knuckle to locked position the, drag of the projection 57 of the knuckle tail on the lower face of the'locking block will cause the same to assume an upright position and the entire locking: mechanism is lowered as the inclined portion of the projection 57 passes beneath the block 20, sothat the lower edge of said block is below the lockset seat 25 thus permitting the entire mechanism to drop to locked position as soon as the knuckle tail clears the adjacent edge ofthe locking block.

Upon raising the lock guideand its connected lock block above the position indicated in Figure 6, the bell crank lever i4: is rotated cou'nter-cloclnvise due to engagement between the arm L6'thercof and the ledge 47 on the lock guide. The other arm l5 of said bell crank lever,'1n'turn, engages the upper arm 43 of the knuckle opener c'ausing'the lower arm or kicker portion ll. thereof to rotate counter-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, and to push the tail of the knuckle 3 outwardly I fro-m2the head, rotating the same clockwise about its pivot pine; Atthe beginning of the opening movementof the knuckle, the effective length of the kicker arm 41 is at a minimum while the "corresponding arm of the knuckle tail is at a maximum, so that a maximum startingforce is secured, the effective arm of the kicker 41 slightly increasing by rolling on theengaged surface of the knuckle tail as the knuckle is opened, resulting in a slight decrease 111 available force after the knuckle starts to open.

By virtue of the foregoing disclosure, it

will be apparent that I have devised an imvolving an additional element between the lock guide and knuckleop'ener, provides for easier operat on thereof and for operation under all conditions; Another 1 desirable result secured by the foregoing construction is that the locking arrangementis more secure, the parts simple and adapted to be sub stantiallyconstructed and easily placed in their respective positions in the coupler head.

I The operation of assembling theparts'of the coupler mechanism in the coupler head is thought to be too simple to-require a detailed disclosure of the mannelimof assembly. It

should be noted that the coupler heretofore described not only interchanges with the standard D coupler but is one in which the D knuckle can be used.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a coupler head, a swinging knuckle, a locking device for the knuckle comprising a guide block, a pintle extending forwardly from the front face thereof, a locking block pivoted on said pintle and means actuated by said guide block for opening said knuckle. v

2. In combination, a coupler head, a swinging knuckle, a locking device for the knuckle comprising a guide block, an integral pintle extending therefrom, a locking block swinging on said pintle and means directly engageable by the guide block for opening said knuckle;

3. In combination, a coupler head, a swinging knuckle, a locking device for said knuckl comprising a guide block, a tapered stud extending forwardly therefrom, a locking block pivoted eccentrically on said stud so as to swing toward a side wall of said head, said wall being provided with a ledge on which.

said locking block is adapted to restin lockset position and means engageable by the guide block on upward movement thereof for opening said knuckle.

4. In combination, a coupler head, aswinging knuckle, a locking dei ice for the knuckle comprising a guide block, a pintle extending forwardly therefrom, a locking blockpivoted on said pintle, said guide block being formed with a flange on the guard arm side thereof, the adjacent wall of said head being formed with a groove into which said flange fits for restraining movement of said guide block, and means actuated by said guide block for opening said knuckle.

5. In combination, a coupler head, said head being formed with a pocket for receiving a knuckle and locking device therefor, the wall of said pocket, adjacent the guard arm side of said head, being formed with a substantiallyiuprightrib providing a groove, a

knuckle pivotally connected to said head, a locking device for said knuckle comprising a guide block, said guide block having a flange thereon fitting in the groove formedin the head for guiding the same during upward and downward movement thereof, pivotal means extending from's aid guide block, a locking block mounted thereon, and knuckle opening means actuated by said guide block.

6. In combination, a couplerhead formed with a pocket for receiving locking means,a swinging knuckle, a locking device for the knuckle comprising a guide block, the rear surface of said guide block engaging the rear wall of the pocket in the head, said rear Well being formed with upright ribs disposed theralong for guiding said guide block during upward and downward movement thereof, pivotal means extending from said guide block, a locking block mounted thereon, and means actuated by said guide block for opening said knuckle.

7. In combination, a coupler head, said head being formed with a pocket for receivlocking means, a swinging knuckle, a

locking device for said knuckle comprising a guide block, the walls of said pocket, adjacent said guide block, being formed with guiding ribs thereon whereby said block is guided between one of said walls and a rib on said opposite wall and by ribs on the connecting wall therebetween, a pintle extending forwardly from said guide block, a locking block pivoted thereon and adapted, when in lowered po sition, to lock the knuckle and, when in raised posit-ion, to release said knuckle, and means for raising and lowering said guide block and connectedv locking block.

8. In combination, a coupler head, aswinging knuckle, a locking device for said knuckle comprising a guide block and alocking-block pivotally connected thereto, a vertically pivoted lever and means actuating said lever from said guide block for opening said knuckle.

9. In combination, a coupler head, a swinging knuckle, a locking device for the knuckle comprising a guide block, a knuckle opener comprising a hub formed with a normally vertical aperture therethrough; means extending through said aperture for pivotally mounting said opener, a lever extending from said hub for operating said knuckle and an actuating portion extending from said hub above said lever for operating said lever through the movement of the guide block.

10. In combination, a coupler head, a locking device, a swinging knuckle having a tail extending into said head, a knuckle opener comprising a vertically pivoted hub with a lever extending .therefrom into engagement 7 with the tail of the knuckle, an actuating lever extending from said hub above said knuckle opener lever and means pivoted to the head and extending from said actuating lever to said device for transmitting motion therefrom to open the knuckle.

11. In combination, coupler head, a

swinging knuckle, a locking device for the knuckle comprising a guide block, a bell crank lever pivoted in said head and engaged by said guide block on upward movement thereof and a device pivoted in said headand actuated by said bell crank lever to open said knuckle. v v I 12. In combination, acoupler head, a swinging knuckle,'a. locking device for the knuckle comprising a guide block, a longitudinal extension on the bottom of said guide block, a lug formed on the bottom of the pocket, adjacent said extension, to hold said guide block from forward movement, a locking block pivotally mounted with respect to;

said guide block and means actuated by said guide block -for'ope ning said knuckle.

13. In combination, a coupler head, a

swinging knuckle, a locking device for said knuckle comprismg a guide block, a'lock' ng block pivotally mounted with respect to said guide block and flared downwardly, the corresponding wall or thehead being inclined to engage said locking'block and prevent creeping thereof, and means actuated by said head,a locking device for said knuckle comprising aguide block, a stud extending for- "wardly from the front face .of said block, a

locking block pivoted on said studeccent rically withrespect to said guide block so as to swing toward a side wall of said head, said wall being provided with a ledge on which i said locking block rests in lock-set position,

the tail of said knuckle being formed with a raised portion which said locking block duringinward and outward movement of the knuckle to unsea t; said block from the ledge. i

15. In combination, a coupler head, a knuckle pivoted with respect to said head and formed withfa tail extending thereima locking device for the knucklecomprising a guide block, a knuckle opener comprising a hub formed with a normally vertical aperture therethrough, a pivot pin extending through said aperture and adjacent portions of the head for pivotally mounting said opener, a lever extending from said hub for operating said knuckle, an arm extending from said hub above said lever, another lever provided with a plurality of angula'rly disposed armspositioned above said hub with one of its arms adapted to engage the arm of the knuckle opener and the other of its arms adapted to be engaged by the guide blockfor operating saldopener, pivotal meansextending through said lastmentioned lever for mounting the same in the head, said pivotal means" comprising a pin formed with a head overlying the head of thepivotal means for the knuckle opener for holding the same in place. 16., Incombination, a coupler-head, a looking device, a pivoted knuckle having a tail extending into said head, a knuckle opener comprising a hub pivoted about a normally vertical axis with an arm extending therefrom for engagement withthe' tail ,of'theknuckle, an actuating arm. extending from [said hubabove said knuckle opener arm, and means pivoted to thehead and interposed between said actuating arm and said "locking device for'transniitti'ng motiontherefrom to open the knuckle. I I 1 v 17. In combination,v a couplerhead," a

swinging knuckle, a locking device for the knuckle, a bell crank lever pivoted in said head and adaptd to be operated by'said lock- 111 device upon upward movement thereof,

. and a device pivoted in said head and actuated bysaid bell crank lever to open said knuckle.

" 18. In combination, a coupler head, .a knuckle 1 pivoted to said head and formed with a tailextending therein, a locking device for. said knuckle, a knuckle opener comprising a hub with a normally vertical aperture therethrough, pivotal means extending throughsaid aperture and the adjacent portions of said head for mounting said opener, a an arm extending from said hub and adapted toengage. thetail of said knuckle, another arm extending from the hub above said arm, a lever pivotally mounted within said head I and formed witl'i a plurality of singularly-disposed arms positioned above said hub with one of its arms adapted to engage an arm of'said knuckle opener and the other adapted to, be actuated through engagement of the locking device.

19-. In combination, a coupler head, a knuckle pivoted to said head and formed with a tail extending therein, a locking device for said knuckle, a knuckle opener comprising a hub with a normally vertical aperture therethrough,pivotal means extending through said. aperture and the adjacent portions of saidhead form'ounting said opener,

an arm extending from said hub" and adapted to engagethetail of said knuckle, another arm extending vfrom the. hub above said knuckle tail, a'lever'formed with a plurality of angularly disposed arms positioned above said'hub with one of its arms adapted to engagethe arms of said knuckle opener,and the other adapted tobe engagedby the locking device for operating said" opener, pivotal means extending through said last mentioned lever for mounting the .samein the head, the

pivotal means having portions thereof in overlapping relation, whereby one of said pivotalmeans serves t'o" maintain the other in operative position. I V

' 20. In combination, acouplerhead, a lockingdevice adapted for verticalmovement, a swinging knuckle having av tail received in said head, a knuckle opener comprising a bell crank lever, one arm of. which is adaptedto engage the tail oftheknuckle, a'second bell crank leve'r with, an'arm adap ed to engage the-otherarm of said opener, of said secondbell crank lever being disposed "above said locking device for engage- ;ment andactuation thereby upon movement thereof beyond a predetermined position.

'21. In combination, acoupler head, a look- 'ing device, a pivoted knuckle having a tail received in said head, and knuckle opening mechanism comprising a pair of bell crank levers, one plvoted about a normally vertical 'e other arm axis and adapted to directly engage the tail of the knuckle, the other pivoted about a normally horizontal axis and adapted to actuate the other bell cranklever and be actuated by the locking device after a predetermined movement thereof.

22. In combination, a coupler head, a vertically movable locking device guided in said head, a knuckle having a tail received in said head, and knuckle opening mechanism operatively interposed between said locking device and the tail of the knuckle, said mechanism comprising a pair of cooperating pivotally mounted bell crank levers.

23. In a coupler head, the combination with the standard D knuckle, of a verti cally movable locking device for holding said knuckle in closed position, and means for forcing said knuckle to open position upon movement of said locking device, said means including a pair of interengaging bell crank levers, an arm of one ofsa-id levers engaging said knuckle, an arm of said other lever'being adapted to be actuated by said locking device, the said arm of the first named lever being shaped to conform with the extreme inner face of the knuckle tail, where-by initially the maximum force is applied to open the same.

In testimony whereof I a-iiix my signature.

IVILLARD F. RICHARDS. 

